Good Deeds, and Kindness
📖Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1987
Abu Dharr said: “The Messenger of Allah said to me: ‘Have Taqwa of Allah wherever you are, and follow an evil deed with a good one to wipe it out, and treat the people with good behavior.”
Explanation:
This hadith gives us three golden rules for life:
- Fear Allah – no matter where you are or who you’re with.
- Balance your mistakes – doing a good deed after a bad one wipes it out.
- Treat people well – kindness, even to strangers, is part of faith.
“Follow an evil deed with a good one” does not mean you are encouraged to sin — rather, it’s a realistic advice. Since all humans make mistakes, you’re taught to repent and replace sins with good actions.
Examples of Good Deeds that Erase Bad Ones:
- Praying extra salah
- Giving charity
- Helping someone in need
- Saying astaghfirullah sincerely
- Reciting Qur’an
- Controlling anger
- Smiling to others
- Spreading truth and justice
- Fasting
- Speaking respectfully to parents
- Avoiding argument even if you’re right
Common Evil Deeds (which need to be wiped out by repentance and good):
- Lying
- Backbiting (ghibah)
- Gossip and slander
- Insulting others
- Wasting time on haram content
- Skipping prayer
- Cheating
- Swearing or foul speech
- Breaking promises
- Envy and jealousy
- Looking at forbidden things (e.g., nudity)
- Arrogance or showing off in good deeds
Note:
These are things that humans might do by mistake, out of weakness, or in moments of heedlessness. But if someone does these things knowingly and continuously, without caring or repenting — then forgiveness is not guaranteed. Allah has clearly said that forgiveness is promised to those who sin out of ignorance or mistake, not those who openly defy His command and expect mercy without change.
📖Quran 4:17
Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil ignorantly or carelessly and then repent soon after. It is they to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
This verse makes it clear: just doing good is not enough if you’re deliberately ignoring Allah’s limits. True repentance needs humility, recognition of sin, and effort to stop.
Forbidden Major Sins (requiring serious tawbah and possibly punishable):
- Murder
- Adultery or fornication
- Theft
- Consuming interest (riba)
- Drinking alcohol
- Worshipping others besides Allah (shirk)
- Disrespecting parents
- Oppression and injustice
- False accusation (like accusing a chaste woman)
- Spreading corruption on earth
These are grave sins and can lead to punishment in both this world and the hereafter if not repented for. But Allah is the Most Merciful – He can forgive even the worst sins for those who return sincerely.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 11:114
Establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in the early hours of the night. Indeed, good deeds erase bad deeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.